'The State and private enterprises should look as partners. With this phrase yesterday closed a seminar on the reality of the mining sector, in Quito.

The meeting was attended by former energy ministers, representatives of mining companies and the Chamber of Mines of Ecuador.

Galo April, former minister of Energy and Mines, stressed that it is imperative that the new mining law set clear rules on government bonds, companies and communities.

Raul Baca, also former owner of Mines, receives a confusing scene between the Government, which encourages mining and the Assembly, which promotes rules to curb this activity.

Representatives of mining expect to hear expectation that the new legal framework is in the hands of the executive branch and to regulate the sector and define the future of mining.